Garden Soil

In short: Fill a jar ¼ with soil taken from a depth of 20–50 cm, add water to ¾, shake and let it settle: sand sinks to the bottom, clay stays in the middle, humus floats on top. Sandy soil (clay up to 10%) needs bentonite and compost; heavy clay (up to 60%) needs autumn digging with sand and humus.

Garden soil is the foundation of successful cultivation. Its composition affects not only plant growth, but also the amount of water and nutrients available to plants. There are several types of soil that differ in their composition and amendment requirements.

In this article, we'll show you how to easily determine the type of soil in your garden and how to improve it for the best harvest.

To avoid disappointment when growing, it's worth knowing your garden soil well and amending it according to your possibilities.

🏡 Home Soil Test

Try this simple test to determine your soil composition:

1. Prepare a tall, narrow glass jar.
2. Fill it ¼ full with soil without humus (from a depth of 20–50 cm).
3. Add water to ¾ full.
4. Shake thoroughly (don't stir!).
5. Let it settle and observe the layering:
• Bottom: coarse sand
• Middle: clay
• Top: fine loam
• On the surface: humus matter

📌 This test will help you determine what type of soil you have in your garden and what's needed to improve it.

🌱 Types of Garden Soil and Their Properties

Sandy Loam Soil (loam content up to 30%)

The soil breaks apart fairly quickly, but you can still feel graininess and it can still be kneaded somewhat. When supplemented with humus, it makes very good quality garden soil.

Sandy Clay Soil (clay content up to 20%)

When kneading, the soil slowly crumbles, but you can still clearly feel sand grains between your fingers and initially it's slightly sticky. When supplemented with humus, it makes good garden soil.

Sandy Soil (clay content up to 10%)

This grainy to sharply grainy soil runs quickly through your fingers. Minerals and water are absorbed into it rapidly. This soil needs to be supplemented with clay soil, bentonite and plenty of humus in the form of compost or potting soil.

Clay Soil (over 60% loam)

This is smooth, fine, soapy, silky to slippery soil that is well-moldable and permeable to both water and air. In autumn, it requires deep digging, supplemented with sand, drainage and humus.

Pure Clay (clay content up to 40%)

Still contains sand particles, but squeaks when rubbed and if moist, it holds together and crumbles when dry. When wet, it forms clumps and tends to compact. Here, loosening and continuous addition of humus is important.

Heavy Clay (clay content up to 60%)

You'll recognize this by the fact that it smears when rubbed. It's well-moldable and individual grains are almost imperceptible. If you dig it well in autumn with a rich addition of humus and sand, you'll obtain quality soil.

Loamy / Calcareous Soil

This soil consists of different soil types and has a more or less high content of calcium carbonate. When moist, it's slippery. Excess calcium can be bound with a high addition of peat.

Topsoil

Topsoil must be removed during construction work and must not be buried during building modifications. Since humus constantly decomposes, its continuous replenishment is necessary. This is primarily the top living soil layer, which contains a more or less thick humus layer depending on plant growth. When moistened, humus substances turn brown or black, making topsoil quite easy to recognize.

Stony Soil

These soils can only be made fertile if they contain enough fine soil between the gravel crush. Large stones must be removed and the soil should be worked only very shallowly. Only with a rich addition of humus soil will its value and fertility increase.

🛒 Various soil mixes available for purchase: Plagron Growmix, 25L, Plagron Lightmix, 50L, Plagron Batmix, 50L, Plagron Lightmix, 25L